Dimension 2350...what's the best brand of memory to get?

hi...
i know this OLD Dino-putersaur isn't worth putting too much money into, but doing some upgrades is all i can do at the moment...my system specs are, Dimension 2350 (about 5-6 years old), P4, 2.2mhz...i currently have 1 256mb stick and 1 512mb stick, but want to replace both with new 512's, but have no idea what brand would be the best choice.
i want to max out the memory at 1Gig and would like recommendations for which brand of memory to get and/or where to confidently buy new mem sticks. i've read several things saying that Kingston is only worth the cheapo price it goes for, but there are so many different brands. the only place i have already gotten a recommendation for is Crucial.com, but dont want to jump at the first thing i see.
the reason i want to replace both, is coz the 256 is the original that came with it, and i have no idea what kind the 512 stick is...i thought it better to just replace both and then know exactly what i have in there.
also, would it make any difference if i use one single 1Gig stick as opposed to two 512mb sticks?
i have already ordered a pci video card and a new psu, so while i have it open, i want to do the new mem thing too.
any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thx.
Jay

Message edited by JKat on 02-12-2009 at 08:16:14 AM

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Jay,
In general, most memory sticks will work with the Dimension 2350. While I think the 2350 would be able to handle a single 1GB stick of memory, it may be better to play it safe and go with the two 512mb sticks. Although you do not know the type or brand of the 512MB stick in your computer, I would recommend keeping that, and simply upgrading the 256MB stick only. Once you take the side cover off the case, you should be able to get some information directly off the ram sticks. Usually there a sticker on there that will tell you the name of the manufacturer and the speed of the memory. Then, it's as simple as buying another compatible stick of memory. I should note that it should not matter is two sticks of memory are from different brands, as long as they have similar speed ratings and other specs match, such as a thing called CAS latency (usually written as CAS 2.5 or CAS 3).

If you would like a recommendation as to manufacturer, I have had excellent luck with Micron memory. Micron is another name for Crucial memory. They are the same company, it's just that Crucial is catered more towards the consumer while Micron is more for the OEM computer maker and for computer servers.

Anyway, I can tell you that the memory you need is 184 pin DDR Ram, 2.5volt, unbuffered, non-registered, non-ECC. Typical speeds that will work are PC2100 and PC2700. PC3200 should also work, but all of them will likely be running at PC2100 speeds when installed in your computer, due to the limitations of your Dell's motherboard.

Here's a nice stick of ram from a trusted computer parts store:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145485

Now, to be honest, I don't think you'll see a lot of benefit from the extra 256MB of ram. If you feel the need to spend some money on your older computer, a better upgrade option would be to put a faster hard drive in it (at least one of the newer 160GB hard drives with 8MB or more of onboard cache) or upgrade the CPU.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to joefriday

joefriday wrote :

Jay,
In general, most memory sticks will work with the Dimension 2350. While I think the 2350 would be able to handle a single 1GB stick of memory, it may be better to play it safe and go with the two 512mb sticks. Although you do not know the type or brand of the 512MB stick in your computer, I would recommend keeping that, and simply upgrading the 256MB stick only. Once you take the side cover off the case, you should be able to get some information directly off the ram sticks. Usually there a sticker on there that will tell you the name of the manufacturer and the speed of the memory. Then, it's as simple as buying another compatible stick of memory. I should note that it should not matter is two sticks of memory are from different brands, as long as they have similar speed ratings and other specs match, such as a thing called CAS latency (usually written as CAS 2.5 or CAS 3).

If you would like a recommendation as to manufacturer, I have had excellent luck with Micron memory. Micron is another name for Crucial memory. They are the same company, it's just that Crucial is catered more towards the consumer while Micron is more for the OEM computer maker and for computer servers.

Anyway, I can tell you that the memory you need is 184 pin DDR Ram, 2.5volt, unbuffered, non-registered, non-ECC. Typical speeds that will work are PC2100 and PC2700. PC3200 should also work, but all of them will likely be running at PC2100 speeds when installed in your computer, due to the limitations of your Dell's motherboard.

Here's a nice stick of ram from a trusted computer parts store:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145485

Now, to be honest, I don't think you'll see a lot of benefit from the extra 256MB of ram. If you feel the need to spend some money on your older computer, a better upgrade option would be to put a faster hard drive in it (at least one of the newer 160GB hard drives with 8MB or more of onboard cache) or upgrade the CPU.

hi Joe...

thx very much for the reply...i did check to see what i have in there, and in slot#1 is a Crucial PC2100 512mb stick i bought way back around 2004, in slot#2 is the original 256mb that came with the pc when i bought it.

as far as using a single 1GB stick, i've been told that it might not work and should just use two 512's.
while waiting for a reply here, i did some homework and discovered exactly what you said about Crucial being related to Micron, and Micron btw does seem to be the best all-in-all, so since i have had excellent luck all these years with the Crucial stick, i'm pretty sure i will get that brand again.

as far as speed, both current sticks are PC2100, and when i get something new, i figured i'd just get two 512's from Crucial (they seem to cost less per stick as a "kit of 2" than just buying a single stick) and wonder what difference there might be with each of these choices (PC2700 and/or PC3200)...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] toreType=0

the 184pin, non-ECC, DDR SDRAM stuff...i do understand that that is what my system needs, so thx for confirming it

a faster HD huh?...never really gave that aspect much thought! i keep all my music (about 500GB worth) on a 750G external HD and have all miscellaneous files, "C drive backup" and a lot of other "junk" on a 250G external HD, so as to not tie up the C drive with too much stuff.

i thought maxing out the ram might help with the new PCI 8400GS video card that i just bought and i'll be installing this weekend as well as a new 410W PSU to handle at least some games...not really into hardcore gaming, just some simple stuff...and wanted the video card to replace the stupid onboard graphics to at least get slightly better videos quality.

finally...lol...NewEgg! you mention that they are a "trusted computer parts store"...
NewEgg FTW!!! they RAWK! ordered my video card and PSU on Tuesday and got them on Thursday!
also Excellent prices too!
i have no problem looking to them first when ever i need something

sorry this is so long...i sure hope you (or anyone else who might bother to read it) hasn't either fallen asleep or died of boredom listening to all my BlahBlahBlah!

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